The present invention relates to an automatic system for identifying persons and regulating access to restricted areas.

In particular, the present invention can be used to identify and check all the persons who need to access restricted areas that are such for a temporary or unlimited period.

Typical restricted areas where controlled access takes place are for example courts, airports, public offices, exhibition centres, historical monuments such as churches, museums, etc...

In general, restricted areas are all those areas in which for a certain period it is necessary to identify and control all the persons having access thereto. Some of these places, for example courts and airports, are equipped with fixed stations provided with personal metal detectors and scanners for luggage and bags in the presence of dedicated personnel.

Then there are other places that only become restricted areas for limited periods of time, for example sheds used for exhibitions or trade fairs that for a certain period can host events that require access control. Such places are normally not equipped with control and identification systems. Therefore, during such events it is necessary to install barriers with control stations. This type of installation is often complicated, expensive and time consuming, requiring a significant number of people appointed to perform the installation. The applicant therefore set out to solve the problem of how to create an installation for a system for identifying and controlling persons that is simple and quick to perform.

An aspect of the present invention relates to an automatic system for identifying and controlling persons and regulating access to restricted areas having the characteristics of claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the schematic attached drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an identification module of the system according to the present invention in the operating position;

• Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the removable parts of the identification module of the system according to the present invention;

• Figure 3 illustrates the frame of the module of Figure 1, during the folding step;

• Figure 4 illustrates the frame completely folded up;

· Figure 5 illustrates the module in the closed position arranged on a conventional transport pallet;

• Figure 6 illustrates a schematic top view of the module showing the access operations. With reference to the mentioned figures, the system according to the present invention comprises an identification module and a plurality of electronic recognition devices associated with such module.

The module comprises a frame 2 provided with wheels 21 at the bottom for mobility purposes, preferably arranged at the lower end of the supporting props 3 of the frame. Such wheels can be retracted into the prop, so as to allow the module to be stationary when they are inside the prop and to be movable with the wheels pulled out. Opposing side panels 4 are arranged between the props and constitute the formation of side walls of the module; they are advantageously removable, for example they can be inserted into guides placed on the props (not shown). A roof 5, formed by one or more slabs, said roof being also removable, integrally covers the module.

The supporting plane of the module is formed by plates 6, which are locked by joints to the frame, in particular to the props 2, and can be folded along a straight line cutting across the module. In this way the same module from the operating open position can be brought into a closed position by releasing the panels 4 and the roof 5 from the frame, then pulling out the wheels and accordion-folding the same frame and the base plates 6 closes it and reduce its dimensions. Finally, positioning the panels and the roof vertically next to the accordion-closed frame a small-sized, easy-to-carry compact "cube" is obtained, for example that can be palletized as shown in Figure 5 positioned on a pallet P. The supporting plane and in particular such plates are provided with an adjustment mechanism adapted to create a floor that is always substantially horizontal.

The module further comprises automatic doors 7 on the sides orthogonal to those of the panels, for example double doors, or made in another way, that constitute the module's entry and exit points. In this way the module can be easily transported constituting an access control system to areas that are not normally provided with such devices on a permanent basis.

The materials with which the module is realised are compatible with its use outdoors, therefore they are materials that are resistant to rain and other atmospheric events in general.

The identification devices placed inside the module can comprise television cameras, loudspeakers, monitors, interfaces for communication with users U inside the module (such as small keyboards or "touch screens"), retinal or facial recognition scanners, devices for detecting the presence of drugs or explosives, smart card readers, Qr code bar codes etc..

Furthermore, solar panels can advantageously be mounted on the roof 5 to contribute to the supply of power for all of the module's electronic and/or mechanical devices.

The module further comprises also sound and/or light alarm devices that are activated if a potential danger is recognized inside the module or simply an identification failure. Advantageously, the module can be equipped, at its entry in the proximity of the automatic entrance door, with a metal detector and/or with an access counting device for counting the people entering the module.

Finally, the module can be equipped with a WI-FI system for communication with the outside and also for connection with the electronic devices present.

The module is also provided with controlled lighting devices so as to maintain constant lighting inside, also in the presence of light variation outside.